Three Major Determinants of The Quality of Coal Assignment
Order ID:89JHGSJE83839 Style:APA/MLA/Harvard/Chicago Pages:5-10 Instructions:
Three Major Determinants of The Quality of Coal Assignment
Question Description
Mark Stephen was manager of the Production Fuels Department of Badger Energy Limited (BEL), a small utility in southeastern Ohio. BEL had three steam electric power plants—located in Athens, Zanesville, and Stoneville—whose primary energy source was coal. Each month, coal for those plants was purchased from a heterogeneous collection of vendors in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia, ranging in size from small father-and-son operations to large mining companies. Stephen was responsible for the monthly coal-procurement process, including how much to purchase from each vendor and which specific plant (or plants) each vendor should supply.
In October 2016, Stephen’s immediate task was to determine November’s coal-procurement schedule. BEL had recently retained the services of a consulting firm to analyze aspects of its operations, including the coal-procurement process. Stephen hoped to use the opportunity of the consultant’s analysis to rethink the entire procurement process. He also hoped the report would shed some light on two related issues that had been a source of controversy within the department.
Coal
Compared with oil, natural gas, and nuclear energy, coal was a relatively cheap source of fuel during the 2010s. Coal is a combustible rock formed by the underground compression of partially decomposed plant matter over millions of years. There are four major types of coal, classified according to energy content: lignite (lowest energy content), sub-bituminous, bituminous (most widely used as a fuel source), and anthracite (highest energy content). Coal’s energy content (or thermal value) is measured in British thermal units (Buts). (One Btu is the amount of heat needed to raise a pound of water one-degree Fahrenheit.) Pure bituminous coal typically contains on the order of 15,000 Btu per pound (Btu/lb.).
There are three major determinants of the quality of coal. One is total moisture content. There are two distinct types of moisture associated with coal. Free moisture lies on the surface of the coal. Its presence, which depends primarily on conditions in the mine and in transit, is an important parameter in the design of coal-handling and -preparation equipment. Inherent moisture is trapped within the pores of the coal itself and is present even when the surface of the coal appears dry. Both types of moisture reduce energy content.
A second determinant of coal quality is ash content. Ash is the incombustible residue that remains after the coal is burned. Like moisture, a high ash content increases shipping, handling, and preparation costs while reducing thermal value. Additional equipment and expense are required periodically to remove ash from a coal-fired furnace. Failure to do so adequately has a long-term impact on the life of a furnacing
RUBRIC
Excellent Quality
95-100%
Introduction 45-41 points
The background and significance of the problem and a clear statement of the research purpose is provided. The search history is mentioned.
Literature Support
91-84 points
The background and significance of the problem and a clear statement of the research purpose is provided. The search history is mentioned.
Methodology
58-53 points
Content is well-organized with headings for each slide and bulleted lists to group related material as needed. Use of font, color, graphics, effects, etc. to enhance readability and presentation content is excellent. Length requirements of 10 slides/pages or less is met.
Average Score
50-85%
40-38 points
More depth/detail for the background and significance is needed, or the research detail is not clear. No search history information is provided.
83-76 points
Review of relevant theoretical literature is evident, but there is little integration of studies into concepts related to problem. Review is partially focused and organized. Supporting and opposing research are included. Summary of information presented is included. Conclusion may not contain a biblical integration.
52-49 points
Content is somewhat organized, but no structure is apparent. The use of font, color, graphics, effects, etc. is occasionally detracting to the presentation content. Length requirements may not be met.
Poor Quality
0-45%
37-1 points
The background and/or significance are missing. No search history information is provided.
75-1 points
Review of relevant theoretical literature is evident, but there is no integration of studies into concepts related to problem. Review is partially focused and organized. Supporting and opposing research are not included in the summary of information presented. Conclusion does not contain a biblical integration.
48-1 points
There is no clear or logical organizational structure. No logical sequence is apparent. The use of font, color, graphics, effects etc. is often detracting to the presentation content. Length requirements may not be met
You Can Also Place the Order at www.collegepaper.us/orders/ordernow or www.crucialessay.com/orders/ordernow Three Major Determinants of The Quality of Coal Assignment
Three Major Determinants of The Quality of Coal Assignment